Amazon’s Alexa has come a long way since it first helped us turn off lights or play music. Now, with Alexa+, the upgraded version of Amazon’s voice assistant, things are changing. This new version is powered by generative AI and promises to be more natural, intelligent, and personal. But does it really live up to the hype?
I had the chance to test Alexa+ for a few weeks, and here’s everything you need to know — in very simple English that even a 3rd grader could understand!
What is Alexa+?
Alexa+ is a smarter version of the old Alexa. You can talk to it more like a real person, and it talks back in a more natural way. You don’t need to say special words like “Alexa, turn off the kitchen lights.” Instead, you can just say “Turn off the lights in the kitchen,” and it will understand.
It also remembers things better (but not perfectly), can do more jobs, and even shows a little personality and humor. It feels more like a real helper than just a robot voice.
What’s New in Alexa+?
Here’s what’s different in Alexa+ compared to the old Alexa:
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More natural talking: You can speak like you would to a friend.
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Better emotional understanding: It can sound happy, excited, or calm.
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Connects to apps and services: It works with Spotify, Uber, Netflix, Disney+, and more.
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Smart memory: It remembers your preferences (but not everything yet).
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API integration: This means it can talk to many different services to help you with real-world tasks.
➡️ According to Amazon, Alexa+ connects to apps like GrubHub, OpenTable, Yelp, Thumbtack, TripAdvisor, and more.
Setting Up Alexa+
To use Alexa+, you need a smart screen like Echo Show 15 or the Alexa app on your phone. If you only have Echo speakers (the ones without a screen), you’ll have to wait a bit longer.
Getting started is pretty easy. Once you’re in the early access group, just follow the instructions on your device. I used it mostly on my Echo Show 15 and my iPhone app.
What Can Alexa+ Do?
Here are some real things I asked Alexa+ to do:
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“Find hiking spots near me.” ✅
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“Play happy songs on Spotify.” ✅
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“Set a reminder for my meeting at 3 PM.” ✅
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“What’s the weather like tomorrow?” ✅
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“Order from Uber Eats.” ❌ (This was tricky and didn’t work well every time)
Sometimes Alexa+ was amazing, but other times it felt like it forgot what I asked or couldn’t finish a job. That was frustrating.
Is Alexa+ Better Than the Old Alexa?
Yes... and no.
✅ Better:
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Alexa+ talks smoother and understands more.
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You don’t have to repeat yourself as much.
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It’s fun to talk to because it feels friendlier.
❌ Not Better:
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It still makes mistakes.
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It doesn’t remember everything.
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It can’t always finish a task or give a clear answer.
It’s like Alexa+ is still learning. It’s smart, but not that smart yet.
Is It Free?
If you have Amazon Prime, Alexa+ will be free.
If you don’t have Prime, you’ll have to pay $20/month to get Alexa+.
Don’t worry — the old Alexa won’t go away. You can still use the basic version for free on your device if you don’t want to upgrade.
Should You Upgrade to Alexa+?
Here’s a simple list to help you decide:
| Do You… | Should You Get Alexa+? |
|---|---|
| Already use Alexa a lot? | ✅ Yes! You’ll notice a better experience. |
| Like smart homes? | ✅ Yes, especially if you have a screen device. |
| Want super accurate help? | ❌ Not yet. It still needs work. |
| Hate bugs or errors? | ❌ Maybe wait until the full version is out. |
| Have Amazon Prime? | ✅ It’s free — try it! |
Final Thoughts
Alexa+ is a nice upgrade, but not perfect. It talks better, acts more human, and does more things — but it’s still learning and sometimes messes up. If you’re already using Alexa with a screen device and have Amazon Prime, it’s worth checking out. But if you expect perfection or don’t want any hassle, wait until it improves.